Revelation 4:1-11 "The Throne Room Vision" Part 1

Lesson Handout

Introduction

Revelation chapters 4 & 5 bring us to the second vision in this book: the throne-room vision. It is a two-part vision. Chapter 4 is concerned with the worship of God as Creator, and chapter 5 is concerned with worship of the Lamb as Redeemer.

Verse-By-Verse Notes

Verse 1

• “Come up here” is most likely not an implied or veiled reference to the rapture of the church, but to John being uniquely called to see the throne room of heaven.

Verse 2

• John was likely not physically in heaven, but experiencing a prophetic vision. This is common among the biblical prophets.

Verse 3

• God’s throne is mentioned over 40 times in Revelation.
• “In describing visions of God’s glory (cf. Isa. 6:1–6; Ezek. 1:26–28), John suggests luminous colors—jasper, carnelian, rainbow, emerald—but avoids precise description of the Almighty’s visible features, perhaps because he knew no language to describe what he saw. The jewels of this book (cf. Rev. 21:19–20) are not meant to be interpreted individually but together signify the splendor and majesty of God.” (ESV Study Bible note on verse 3)

Verse 4

• The 24 elders could be symbolic of the 12 tribes and 12 Apostles, or simply a reference to an exalted angelic order.

Verse 5

• 7 is the biblical number of perfection, fullness, or completeness
• The scene is reminiscent of the experience of Moses at Sinai in Exodus 19.

Verses 6-8

• The four living creatures are most likely “guardians of the throne.”
• Their eyes indicate vision and awareness. Nothing approaches God without their knowledge. This does not imply that God needs protects, but rather emphasizes His uniquely exalted state and presence.
• The first of five angelic throne room hymns in Revelation 4 & 5: “Holy, Holy, Holy.” The holiness of God is His only attribute that is repeated to the third degree. God is thrice holy.

Verses 9-10

• Glory, honor, and thanks are reoccurring themes of praise in heaven.
• In addition to being guardians of the throne, the four living creatures are worship leaders leading the heavenly courts in continual adoration of God. All of this indicates hierarchy within the angelic order – the four creatures guard and lead, the 24 elders follow.

Verses 11

• The second of the angelic hymns in the throne room vision: the first concerns the holiness and eternality of God, the second concerns the sovereignty of God in creation.

Concluding Thoughts:

• Who does John not see in this vision?
• Are there any other visions in the Bible that are remarkably similar to John’s vision here?
• What are some big takeaways from this first part of the throne room vision?
• How should the throne room vision inform our view of God?

BIG TAKEAWAY: GOD IS INFINITELY WORTHY OF THE ADORATION OF ALL CREATION, AND THE GREATER OUR VISION OF GOD, THE DEEPER OUR WORSHIP WILL BE.